There’s never a good time or place for an oil spill, but the tragedy unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico is particularly bad. Our hearts go out to the victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and their families. Since the rig sank on April 22, attention has turned to the growing slick of oil that now covers some 600 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico and continues to grow by an estimated 210,000 gallons (5,000 barrels) per day.

Spring tides and southerly winds are pushing the oil toward the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and northern Florida, where delicate saltmarshes support a productive marine ecosystem, and barrier islands provide vulnerable nest sites for Brown Pelicans, Snowy Plovers, Least Terns, and many other species.

The timing is bad, too. It’s the peak of spring migration, and thousands upon thousands of shorebirds and songbirds will be crossing the Gulf of Mexico in the next few weeks. After flying nonstop from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, many of these birds will touch down on the first land they see—the beaches of the Gulf Coast. Late April and early May have in years past been magical days for Gulf Coast birdwatchers because of the stream of newly molted, spring-bright birds that come through. This year, there is likely to be oil waiting for them.

This disaster is being covered in detail in the news. We’ll monitor developments on this blog and highlight anything particularly relevant to migrating and breeding birds of the region. For now, these links may useful:

The New York Times has a map showing the oil spill’s extent as of April 29 and the locations of particularly vulnerable wildlife, including whales, tuna, and five species of birds. Their Lede blog is updating frequently.

16 Comments

Roger P.says:

Has the Lab of O considered hosting an online fundraising campaign for birds and habitats affected by the spill? I am just asking because the Lab of O has so many members, is so respectable, could get a lot of support from its members – this is all assuming that the sanctuaries and parks affected by the spill foresee being in financial need because of it. It might be a good project for somebody over there at the Lab, who knows. Thanks for taking the time to update about the spill – it really has been horrific to watch unfold.

I am so glad this issue is being discussed as I have been most fretful for the birds and other animals along the Gulf Coast. However, I am disabled and can’t travel there to help, I’m frustrated about not know which charity is reputable.

I would think Audobon would be helping but I’ve not seen anything on TV or in print to confirm this.

As I am a bird lover and environmentalist, BP and others know there’s only one way to save our wildlife and putting a stop to this tragic situation.

IMPLODE THE BP WELL NOW! This well is most likely drilled 500 to 1,000 feet below the sea floor. One implosion charge driven into that well would cave in the entire length of pipe(s), and stop this. However, due to the fact that BP may not get another drilling permit, 1/10th of the nation’s population must suffer, along with hundreds of species of wildlife. QUESTION: Why hasn’t anyone mentioned imploding the well, caving in the walls, which are sunk 500+ feet below the ocean floor – VERY STRANGE?

There is a way to successfully put an end to this tragic situation, but until BP is assured a license to drill again in this area, it won’t happen – IMPLODE THE BP WELL NOW! This well is most likely drilled 500 to 1,000 feet below the sea floor. One implosion charge driven into that well would cave in the entire length of pipe(s), and stop this. However, due to the fact that BP may not get another drilling permit, 1/10th of the nation’s population must suffer, along with hundreds of species of wildlife. QUESTION: Why hasn’t anyone mentioned imploding the well, caving in the walls, which are sunk 500+ feet below the ocean floor – VERY STRANGE? Regards, Joe Ciolino

What a beautiful leak. I love the oily mass that bulges outwards from a bent pipe. A brown Rorschach blot of the automobile culture.

My most fervent hope is that all efforts to stop and mitigate this masterwork are failures. The incontinent flow of hydrocarbons shall continue for the decay of all.

I would love to see a sea of greasy Devil’s blood flowing into the ocean forever more. The spew that flew right on through.

Then the World can move on into its next phase, the Dark Phase of death, decline and destruction. Soon, all the works of humans will decay and so too will themselves be brought to the altar of slaughter, to account for their crimes of existence.

Is there a blackout on how to successfully save our wildlife? I’m beginning to think so, as no reporter has once asked about imploding well below the sea floor?

IMPLODE THE BP WELL NOW! This well is most likely drilled 500 to 1,000 feet below the sea floor. One implosion charge driven into that well would cave in the entire length of pipe(s), and stop this. However, due to the fact that BP may not get another drilling permit, 1/10th of the nation’s population must suffer, along with hundreds of species of wildlife. QUESTION: Why hasn’t anyone mentioned imploding the well, caving in the walls, which are sunk 500+ feet below the ocean floor – VERY STRANGE?

Respectfully, I do not believe this to be so or better stated, ” that’s what they want us to believe” Why? If they implode the well (1/5) one fifth of a mile under the ocean floor, nothing is coming out. Let’s remember that they have to use heavy mud to try and keep the walls from caving in and loosing the oil flow, thus why in the 1900’s the one person that became the first major millionare, drilling in sand, did so, as a “what the heck, let’s do something with this heavy clay mud? The rest is history as to the Texas oil boom. A explosive charge at 1000″ below the floor will implode the well let alone heavy mud. BUT!!! Will they get new permits for all the wells that that horizontally (1000′ below the ocean floor)connect to this well head? Politically impossible, thus the entire coast, species, and possibly the gulf stream up to where Bermuda, Azores, Breat Britain?? This a major cover up in my opinion. If it were possible for the Admin. to agree to re-license BP, if they cave in the walls with a depth charge it would be over in a fews days. Odd how no one, no reporter, etc. dare bring this up? Weird and a bit scary. Joe

This is heartbreaking. There is a difference between an accident and an incident…accidents are unavoidable but incidents are not. Incidents result from careless indifference to generally accepted standards of prudent behavior. Failing to follow safe practices on an oil rig leads to incidents.

I hope that innocent franchise owners who sell, hopefully not for much longer, BP products will be able to be compensated fully by BP

If nothing else, a devasting boycott of BP may serve as a warning to other oil companies.

Also, let’s all see what we can do to drive less and buy less transported items.